Financial News asks senior pensions practitioners for the burning questions they would like to put to the headline speakers at this week’s NAPF annual conference in Liverpool. Here is a selection for Day One’s speakers

Lord Mandelson

-- Questions for Lord Mandelson

The former European Union Commissioner is talking on politics, power and the economy: what next for Britain and the EU?

Ros Altmann, Director-general, Saga: What do you think are the implications of the ageing populations in Europe on the politics and the economies of the EU; do you think “grey power” will make a difference to political outcomes?

Mark Ashworth, Chairman, Law Debenture Pension Trustees: Can you envisage any circumstances where Britain would join the single currency?

Roger Mattingly, President, Society of Pension Consultants and head of client relationships, JLT: Should all political parties, government departments and those involved in pensions strive for consensus or are tensions needed to optimise outcomes?

Tim Middleton, Technical consultant, Pensions Management Institute: What steps can be taken to guarantee that all EU citizens will enjoy a comfortable retirement?

Mike Taylor, Chief executive, London Pensions Fund Authority: Why should Solvency II be relevant to funds such as the Local Government Pension Scheme that are underpinned by the state government?

-- Questions for Martin Lewis

The money saving expert, author and journalist discusses the changes and challenges of living longer, working longer, saving more

Adrian Boulding, Pension strategy director, Legal & General: At what age do people move from thinking generally about long-term savings to thinking specifically about retirement savings?

Richard Bryant, Head of trustee services, Atkin: We hear many pensioners saying they regret ever taking out a pension or joining their employer’s pension scheme and that they wished they’d invested in property. Do they have a point?

Jennie Kreser, Partner, Silverman Sherliker: Is education the key to getting people to save more for retirement?

Morten Nilsson, Chief executive, Now: Pensions: What is your view on the future of the annuity market in the UK, and the products that will be launched to give options to the masses?

Mike Taylor, Chief executive, London Pensions Fund Authority: Is it practical for UK savers and funds to rely on emerging markets or other overseas areas for their investment income to the extent that many funds are doing?

-- Questions for Gabriel Bernardino

The chairman of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority will explain how Eiopa is reshaping the pensions framework

Ros Altmann, Director-general, Saga: Should the UK pension system be treated as a special case in Europe given the legacy problems of scheme deficits and the large amount of liabilities in mature schemes?

Matt Barnes, Senior actuary, Pension Insurance Corporation: Given that proposals for Solvency II for pensions are designed to improve security for pensioners, why do you think trustees seem resistant?

Raj Mody, Head of pensions, PwC: When will we get precise clarity on what the new IORP Directive will mean for the UK and specifically when it will be implemented?

Morten Nilsson, Chief executive, Now: Pensions: What can the European forum do to foster/encourage cross-border pension provisions to deliver pensions using truly large-scale economies and efficiencies?

Kevin Wesbroom, Partner, Aon Hewitt: The EU appears to favour giving more protection to the pensions of Europeans through Solvency II for pension funds, in contrast to the US, which has passed legislation to cut the pension burden on companies, thereby stimulating its economy. Is this old world/new world difference symptomatic and does it suggest continued decline for Europe on the world economic stage?